The Rhode Island House Health and Human Services Committee has scheduled a virtual public hearing for Thursday, February 3, 2022, on multiple bills, including, H. 7021, which would allow emergency care and transportation for a police dog injured in the line of duty. Committee details are here.
Police K9s work to assist law enforcement in protecting the peace and security of individuals and communities. Please join the American Kennel Club (AKC) in valuing the contribution these working and detection dogs make, and the important role they play, by emailing the committee and asking members to support H. 7021.
Consider the following talking points when emailing the committee:
- More than 300 police K-9s teams work in New England.
- Police K-9s are specially trained and certified to serve multiple purposes from search and rescue to explosive detection.
- Supporting H. 7021 would ensure emergency treatment and transportation when these exceptional dogs are injured in the line of duty.
BACKGROUND:
In April 2018, Yarmouth, Massachusetts Police Sergeant Sean Gannon was shot and killed in the line of duty. Nero, his K9 partner was also shot, but state law prevented EMTs from treating or transporting him. In response, Massachusetts and other states have filed and/or passed legislation authorizing the emergency transport and treatment of injured Police K9s by EMTs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Rhode Island residents are encouraged to email the committee requesting H. 7021 support.
1. Written comments can be emailed to HouseHealthandHumanServices@rilegislature.gov.
2. Indicate your name, H. 7021, and support at the top of your message.
- Anyone wishing to verbally testify via phone to the committee, on February 3, after the rise of the House (after 4:30PM), must register to do so before Wednesday, February 2, at 4pm using this form.
For more information on this or other legislative issues in Rhode Island, contact AKC Government Relations at 919-816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.